Ionian Village - Founding and History

Founding and History

The camp was established in 1969 at the initiative of Archbishop Iakovos of America (of the then-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America) as a means of fostering cultural and religious ties to Greece for the children of early- and mid-20th century Greek immigrants in United States and Canada.

The original land grant of 2,840 acres—11,500 stremmata (see stremma) or 11.5 square kilometers—of pine forest and virgin beachfront on the north-west coast of Elis, on the Peloponnese mainland was secured by the then-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North & South America in 1966 as a gift from the government of Greece, with supportive sponsorship from Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis.

In mid-July 1975, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis visited the Ionian Village to officiate at the opening of a new recreational building (named the Ethousa) dedicated in memory of Aristotle Onassis. See this photo of the commemorative plaque unveiled by Mrs. Kennedy-Onassis at the opening.